Somalia’s future balance of political power has entered another sensitive phase as debate intensifies over who will lead the Federal Parliament. Political developments and reports emerging from the country suggest that outgoing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is supporting Minister Abdulkadir Jama as a candidate for speaker of the Federal Parliament.
The reported support has prompted wider questions about the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. In my view, the move could form part of a broader effort to strengthen the government’s influence over Parliament. There is also a political debate over whether the minister has been given easier access to a parliamentary seat, potentially clearing the way for him to seek the speakership.
Parliamentary independence at stake
The central issue is not simply who wins the election. It is whether the next speaker will exercise independent authority or become too closely dependent on the executive branch.
A parliament should be able to protect the constitution, hold the government accountable and represent the interests of the public. It should not be reduced to an institution that approves government decisions without meaningful scrutiny or detailed debate.
If the speaker is viewed as fully reliant on the executive, public confidence in the legislature could suffer. Somalia needs a Federal Parliament capable of examining government policy, questioning official decisions and ensuring that national institutions operate within their constitutional responsibilities.
Foreign agreements require scrutiny
Additional political concern has emerged over the growing relationship between the Federal Government of Somalia and the government of Turkey, particularly in areas including security, the economy and natural resources.
Agreements in these fields require a strong parliament that can examine their terms independently, debate their potential consequences and determine whether they serve Somalia’s national interests. Minister Abdulkadir Jama is also rumored to have close ties to the Turkish government, although the nature and significance of those reported ties remain a matter of political discussion.
Regardless of who becomes speaker, Parliament must have the authority and willingness to review international agreements carefully. National sovereignty and public interest should be assessed through transparent procedures rather than assumed on the basis of political alliances.
Criticism of the previous parliamentary leadership
The former speaker of Parliament, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur, commonly known as Adan Madobe, has recently faced criticism from politicians and opposition figures. His critics have accused him of facilitating the approval of laws and decisions without sufficient debate.
Opposition figures have used the political nickname “Adan Ansax” in connection with those accusations. The claims remain part of the political debate, but they underline the expectations facing any new parliamentary leadership.
If the criticisms have substance, the next speaker will need to demonstrate neutrality, procedural fairness and independence in order to rebuild public trust. Parliament’s credibility will depend not only on the speaker’s public statements, but also on how debates are organized, how opposition voices are treated and how legislation is examined.
The responsibility of lawmakers and political actors
The greatest danger facing Somalia is not limited to the identity of the individual who takes the speaker’s chair. The larger risk is that the Federal Parliament could lose its constitutional role as an independent institution charged with protecting the national interest.
Somalia requires a parliament that can independently assess international agreements, hold the government accountable and safeguard national sovereignty and the interests of citizens. That responsibility belongs first to lawmakers, but it also requires attention from opposition groups, civil society organizations and the federal member states.
These actors should closely monitor the process for selecting the parliamentary leadership and the direction the institution takes afterward. They should insist on transparency, accountability and respect for the independence of state institutions.
A decision with consequences beyond one office
The direction taken by the Federal Parliament will directly affect Somalia’s political future in the years ahead. The election of a speaker is therefore not merely a contest between individual politicians. It is a decision that will shape the balance of power within government, the protection of the constitution and the country’s institutional independence.
For that reason, the parliamentary leadership contest deserves serious public scrutiny. The successful candidate should be judged not only by political backing, but also by the ability to preside impartially, protect legislative oversight and ensure that Parliament remains accountable to the Somali people.
Somalia’s political institutions will be stronger when parliamentary authority is based on constitutional responsibility rather than executive preference. The coming leadership decision will provide an important indication of whether the Federal Parliament can perform that role.
Ali Musa
